Parking lot lines are far more important than you might think. These seemingly small details play a vital role in protecting driver safety, ensuring Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, streamlining your operations, and establishing an attractive business exterior. Earle American provides commercial asphalt paving and line striping services in New Jersey, southern New York State, Southeast Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware. Here, we discuss the importance of professional line striping and how our services can benefit your business.

Present an Organized Exterior

If you run a business, then you understand that presentation is everything. People’s observations of the exterior of your property inform their judgments about what goes on inside. If a prospective customer sees a disorganized parking lot with faded stripes and cars parked in a jumble, they might assume that you run your business in the same way: with careless organization and minimal maintenance.

Fresh parking lot lines on new-looking asphalt, meanwhile, create a clean and attractive appearance. They demonstrate your commitment to a well-maintained property, suggesting that you are similarly committed to delivering a high-quality product or service. They also tell patrons that you take pride in your business. Finally, they encourage employees and customers alike to park in an orderly fashion. This cements an impression of tidiness that reflects well on your business.

Protect Driver Safety

Clean parking lot lines aren’t just about aesthetics: they’re also important for safety. According to studies performed by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), about 20% of all vehicle crashes happen in parking lots. Some of these are due to driver carelessness – for example, making phone calls while behind the wheel – but not all. The property owner is responsible for making sure that drivers can navigate the lot safely. Parking lot lines make this possible by:

• Separating driving lanes from parking spaces
• Plotting parking spaces that are wide enough to use safely
• Designating safe pathways and crossings for pedestrians
• Keeping customers away from unsafe areas
• Providing clear traffic instructions

When you mark your parking lot accurately and keep the markings maintained, you protect everyone who uses your lot. Customers, employees, their vehicles, and your business property are all better off for your care and foresight.

Avoid Liability Claims

Safety is also a liability concern. If accidents happen on your property, then the people affected can bring a claim against your business. You may be held liable and forced to cover their damages, which may include vehicle repairs, medical bills, and legal fees. It’s also a bad look for your business. Liability cases negatively impact your reputation, making it harder to recover your losses.

Clear, well-maintained stripes help protect you against legal claims. If an unfortunate incident occurs between drivers on your lot, then you have done your due diligence and cannot be held accountable. This prevents the hassle and expense of a court case and protects your profits against potentially crippling liability payouts. It also helps your business preserve its good reputation, holding onto the trust and respect of current and future clients.

Ensure ADA Compliance

Injury and property damage liability are not the only legal factors to consider when striping your parking lot. Businesses must also comply with guidelines set by the ADA. These guidelines ensure that customers and employees with physical disabilities can access your facilities with minimal strain. Their requirements include:

• Providing sufficient accessible parking spaces for your lot size
• Meeting minimum standards for accessible parking spaces
• Providing both standard and van-accessible parking spaces
• Ensuring that accessible spaces are clearly marked for identification
• Designating access aisles and accessible routes into your building
• Preventing blockages or inappropriate parking on accessible routes

ADA compliance helps your business avoid legal fees and shutdowns. As an added benefit, it also allows your business to reach a wider audience, attracting more customers and boosting your profits.

Maximize Business Efficiency

Finally, parking lot lines help you conduct business more efficiently. Your employees use the parking lot alongside customers. You may also use the lot for pickups and deliveries, fleet dispatching, and other aspects of your day-to-day operations. Clear parking lot lines help these happen smoothly.

By designating loading zones, for example, you eliminate confusion and show delivery drivers exactly where to go. You also keep customers out of those zones, ensuring that they are clear when you need them to be. Clean lines also help to clear congestion, keep fleet lanes open, and eliminate other problem areas for smooth, frustration-free operation.